Auroville: A Universal City in the Making
Located in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a few kilometres inland from the Coromandel Coast, Auroville is an ideal township devoted to an experiment in human unity - a universal township in the making; for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. Auroville is recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and and in situ research on sustainable living and fulfilling all cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
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It was in the mid 1960s that the Sri Aurobindo Society in Pondicherry, India proposed Mirra Alfassa, to whom the people of the Ashram knew as The Mother, the concept of Auroville and that such a township should be started. She gave her blessings. The concept was then put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of humanity, thereby giving it full encouragement.
On 28th February 1968 some 5,000 people assembled near the banyan tree at the centre of the future township for an inauguration ceremony attended by representatives of 124 nations, including all the States of India. The representatives brought with them soil from their homeland, to be mixed in a white marble- clad, lotus-shaped urn, now sited at the focal point of the Amphitheatre in Auroville. At the same time the Mother gave Auroville its 4-point Charter and the universal eco-city came into being.
However, after the death of The Mother in 1973, problems arose and work slowed down. It is said that The Mother had declared before her death that the township will never be complete until all the negative energies in the people involved doesn’t go away. The township is now being designed as a complete eco-city.As per the plan, the city area with a radius of 1.25 km. is to be surrounded by a Green Belt of 1.25 km width. As a zone for organic farms, dairies, orchards, forests, and wildlife areas, this belt will act as a barrier against urban encroachment, provide a variety of habitats for wildlife, and serve as a source for food, timber, medicines etc. and as a place for recreation. Inner to this, lies in the four sides, four zones viz., the larger Residential Zone, Cultural Zone, Industrial Zone and the International Zone.
At the center of the township, lies the Matrimandir an unfinished golf-ball-like giant globe covered with golden discs. It is conceived as “a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s inspiration for perfection.” Peace Area, comprises this Matrimandir and its gardens, the amphitheatre with the Urn of Human Unity that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states, and a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity and to serve as a groundwater recharge area.
Paper and metallic currency is not used in Auroville. Instead, residents use electronic cards which connect to their central account. Visitors, however, are allowed to pay in cash. The population of the township is constantly growing, but currently stands at around 1,700 people, of whom approx one-third are Indian. According to Sumandeep Singh, an architect from New Delhi, a trip to Auroville completely changed his life. He is not just impressed with the way the entire barren landscape has now been converted into lush green forests, but also cannot stop talking about the spiritual confidence that has now been imbibed into him and the undying positive energy that makes the socially responsible person that he now is. Last heard, Mr. Singh was designing a plan to provide drinking water at the BRT bus stands - a noble act - amidst the scorching heat of Delhi!
This is absolutely lie.
Auroville came out from the Mother’s conception. Sri Aurobindo Society did have any credibility without the Mother.
I knew step by step how Auronille came into existence.
Do not write anything on which you have an excellent command.
Dear Debabrata,
The above is a completely outsider’s view of the universal township of Auroville. I have neither ever been associated with the teachings of The Mother or with that of the Sri Aurobindo Society and the views are largely unbiased. However, it is unfortunate and I am sorry if I hurt your feelings for The Mother.
As for the facts, the official website of the township indeed clearly states that the concept of Auroville came to The Mother as early as 1930, and it was only in 1960 that Sri Aurobindo Society in Pondicherry had proposed to The Mother that such a township should now be started, and that after her blessings, the proposal was sent to the Govt. of India et al.
http://auroville.org/av_brief.htm